Rolland Courbis has made a surprise return to USM Alger as the club prepares for Saturday’s Algerian Cup final against CR Belouizdad.
The Frenchman, who previously guided the club to a historic Algerian Cup and Arab Cup double in 2013, is back in Algeria in an advisory role — and perhaps as a good-luck charm.
Although Courbis will not take a place on the touchline, his presence within the squad is far from ceremonial.
Officially invited as a guest of honour for the final, the 71-year-old has been drafted in to lend his expertise to head coach Mohamed Lacet and his technical staff.
The experienced tactician will offer both tactical insights and psychological support as the team seeks to salvage a season that has fallen below expectations.
His input will be based on detailed analysis of recent matches involving both USM Alger and their final opponents, CR Belouizdad.
“I won’t be on the bench, but I hope I can bring them some luck,” Courbis said with a smile during an interview on L’Équipe du Soir.
“The last time they won the Algerian Cup, it was with me. Maybe there’s a little bit of superstition involved.”
Despite the light-hearted tone, Courbis’ mission carries significant weight. Based with the squad at the ESHRA training centre in Algiers, the former Marseille and Montpellier coach has fully embedded himself within the group.
His role is to offer an outsider’s perspective, drawing on decades of managerial experience to help Lacet and his staff fine-tune their tactical approach ahead of the final showdown.
Courbis’ return inevitably raises questions about the precise nature of his involvement. While the club maintains that his presence is merely symbolic, the reality suggests otherwise.
With silverware on the line and tensions running high, every ounce of experience and strategic insight becomes invaluable.
How responsibilities will be shared between Courbis and Lacet remains a subject of speculation, but both parties appear focused on the same goal — delivering victory.
For Courbis, this brief return reignites a deep emotional connection with a club where he left an enduring legacy.
Since stepping away from active coaching following a short spell at French side Sète in 2022, Courbis has worked as a football consultant for RMC Sport. Yet, as is often the case in football, the pull of a former club can be irresistible.
His presence has sparked a wave of nostalgia among USM Alger supporters, who remember his previous success fondly.
Many hope his influence can once again inspire the team to glory, particularly at a time when the club is desperate to end the season on a high note.
As preparations continue for the high-stakes final, Courbis remains a steady presence within the camp.
Whether offering tactical advice, motivational words, or simply serving as a reassuring figure, his impact is already being felt.
For USM Alger, victory on Saturday would not only secure the Algerian Cup but also serve as a symbolic redemption — a chance to reconnect with the winning mentality that Courbis once instilled. As the final looms, the question now is whether history is about to repeat itself.
Rolland Courbis vers un club 🇩🇿?
Sa réponse 👇#EDS pic.twitter.com/NMPD3b364J
— L’ÉQUIPE du soir (@lequipedusoir) June 30, 2025
